364 THE LAWS OF ORGANIC 



CCCCXXXVI. Some have supposed life to 

 be synonymous with soul, and, therefore, assert 

 that it is an immaterial principle, altogether be- 

 yond the province of intellectual pursuits ; but 

 others, with apparently more correctness, are 

 inclined to regard life as produced and regulat- 

 ed by the laws which the Deity has impres- 

 sed on the particles of matter. The individual 

 who entertains the latter opinion has senti- 

 ments as pure and elevated as he who refers 

 every act of existence to the direct agency 

 of Providence ; nor does the doctrine tend to 

 lessen his admiration of what is everywhere 

 great and good throughout nature, nor does it 

 in the least tend to diminish his reverence and 

 the grateful feelings of his heart towards the 

 great Author of his being. Of the two opinions, 

 that which is deemed material is better calculat- 

 ed to excite wonder and religious awe in one 

 highly gifted, as it presents to the expanded 

 faculties of the mind the infinite laws of his crea- 

 tion, whereas, when these are referred to the 

 direct agency of Providence, they cannot be con- 

 sidered as a source of wonder, but may of ado- 

 ration, as the Spirit of the Most High is all 

 sufficient. 



CCCCXXXVII. If the general properties 

 of life be allowed to be sufficient to demonstrate 

 an immaterial principle or soul, every link of 

 animal and vegetable nature will be granted 



